Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
undo what they've done. They remain in the picture, either standing by
ready to thwart anyone who tries to interfere, or actively continuing to
move things down a negative (to the Hero) path.
So, the Villain needs to present a viable challenge to the Hero. We must
take her and the threat she represents seriously, and not only for the sake
of the plot. The Hero's impressiveness to the audience is based in part on
our assessment of what she's up against. During my time working in the
Marvel Comics editorial offices, one of the catchphrases I learned was,
“Weak villain equals weak hero.” It just doesn't say much for the Hero
when we don't believe she's in over her head.
For example: I'm a big Boston Red Sox fan, a fact to which my family
members will attest based on the enthusiastic cheers and anguished
groans they hear while I'm watching a game. That's because I'm rooting
for my team (my Heroes, if you will) and I care what happens.
But what if the Red Sox were playing against a Little League team? What
if my favorite club scored 30 runs in the first inning while going through
every pitcher the kids could put on the mound? I can't say I'd be very in-
terested; in fact, I'd probably start rooting for the Little Leaguers, until fi-
nally turning the “game” off in disgust after an inning or two.
Why? Because though my Heroes would be playing to the best of their
abilities—just as they always do—they wouldn't be up against a worthy ad-
versary. So, I would lose respect for them, and more important, I'd lose in-
terest in the game.
Furthermore, in this hypothetical situation I would begin rooting for the
Little Leaguers, because they were so badly outmatched. Remember, audi-
ences—especially American audiences—love an underdog. So, the ideal
Villain isn't just a match for the Hero, she's
more than a match
. This in-
stantly transforms the Hero into an underdog—all the more likely to be
rooted for by the audience, and ensuring a final victory that's even more
impressive.
This rule holds true for Henchmen too, by the way, though to a some-
what lesser degree. Henchmen should be a strong challenge for the Hero,
while the Villain should represent the ultimate opposition, seemingly bey-
ond what the Hero is capable of defeating. Bottom line: the strength of
your Hero is largely defined and measured by the threat level of your Vil-
lain and his Henchmen.
Speaking of whom …
